Update: ‘RHD version of Marvel R confirmed’ section updated.
The MG Marvel R, which is a replacement for the MG Marvel X, is expected to receive a successor with a different name in two to three years, Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director, MG Motor UK, has revealed, as per an Auto Express report dated August 30, 2022.
RHD version of Marvel R confirmed
Unlike the MG Marvel R, its successor will be available in right-hand drive. MG’s sales figures in the UK are now promising enough to make engineering a right-hand drive version of the replacement model logical. Between January and October 2022, the company sold 45,080, 64.4% higher than January-October 2022.
Pigounakis has said the replacement for the Marvel R will be “a completely different car,” as per an Autocar report dated November 28, 2022. He seems confident the Marvel R successor will sell in good numbers, as he said current SUV, had it been available in right-hand drive, would’ve contributed 6,000-7,000 units to MG UK’s sales in 2022. In the European markets where the Marvel R is available, it goes up against the VW ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq iV.
Under the Mission 100 strategy announced in 2020, MG plans to expand its presence to over 100 markets worldwide by 2024 and target younger buyers with connected cars. According to the one million sales milestone announcement dated July 15, 2022, the company is already present in 84 countries.
According to an earlier report from The Driven Australia, MG Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao said during an online event on November 24, 2021, that the MG Marvel R successor will be available in Australia as well. As per a report on Stuff.co.nz, the RHD-spec MG Marvel R successor would also be up for consideration for New Zealand.
New ADAS features
The MG Marvel R is available with 15 advanced driver assistance systems under MG Pilot. These include basic features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent High Beam Control, and Drowsiness Warning System and the more advanced Traffic Jam Assistance, Lane Keep Assistance, Rear Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring.
SAIC has tied up with Luminar to source LiDAR and components of its Sentinel software system for its Feifan Automotive Technology company’s R brand vehicles. The current Marvel R is originally a Roewe brand model in China, but it comes to Europe with the MG badge. While there is no confirmation, SAIC’s new partnership should lead to the Marvel R successor packing a suite of advanced ADAS features, such as semi-autonomous driving functions on highways.
Modular Scalable Platform (MSP)
The MG Marvel R successor should be based on SAIC’s new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that underpins the MG4 EV (MG4 Electric). MSP is a dedicated EV platform, and being suitable for models with various body styles and wheelbases ranging from 2,560 to 3,100 mm, it is extremely flexible. It leads to more interior space within the same exterior dimensions.
One Pack battery
Another piece of technology in the MG Marvel R successor will likely be SAIC’s “One Pack” battery that offers “zero thermal runaway” safety protection, ultra-long life, and ultra-high integration. This battery consists of the industry’s thinnest cells measuring just 110 mm in height, thanks to their horizontal arrangement. This may allow a lower roof without affecting the headroom, giving the vehicle sportier styling and more aerodynamic efficiency.
Theoretically, it’s possible to offer a battery pack capacity of up to 150 kWh with the One Pack design concept. Moreover, battery swapping is possible, allowing customers to replace their EV’s smaller battery pack with a larger unit. While the battery capacity is to be determined, the Marvel R successor should have a WLTP range of over 500 km (311 miles).
Different name
MG could be planning an alphanumeric branding for its flagship SUV. “The new one won’t be called Marvel R, though,” Pigounakis said.
MG in the UK & mainland Europe
MG currently retails in 26 European countries, including Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and the UK. While sales in the UK include internal combustion-engined and electrified vehicles, MG models sold in the EU markets are electric only (or PHEV in the case of the MG EHS).
In mainland Europe, MG sold 7,200 vehicles in 2020 and tripled annual sales to 21,946 vehicles in 2021. Including the UK, the net European sales figure in 2021 was 52,546 units. UK, France, Sweden, Germany, and Norway were the biggest markets, accounting for 58.2%, 21.8%, 21.5%, 14.5%, and 13.8% of the annual sales, respectively. With the Marvel R Electric launched in October 2021, the new ZS EV launched in November 2021, and the MG5 EV following in March 2022, the total sales in 2022 could be their highest. In fact, Matt Lei, former CEO, MG Motor Europe, has said that MG’s European sales should triple again this year. MG has opened no fewer than 400 sales and service outlets in the region within just 18 months.
In Q1 2022, MG sold 22,135 vehicles in Europe. With a 158% growth over Q1 2021 (8,580 units), that was its best quarter at that time. The company hasn’t reported the sales figures for the second and third quarters of 2022. However, with the Q1 2022 sales alone higher than the annual 2021 sales, it’s certain that 2022 is going to be a far better year overall.
Some of the regional RHD markets that hold potential for MG EVs this decade include Scotland, Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, and Malta.
MG in Australia & New Zealand
MG is trying to replicate similar success in Australia and New Zealand, where it sells electrified vehicles (MG ZS EV and MG HS PHEV) in addition to combustion vehicles. MG’s ZS combustion vehicle already broke into Australia’s top 10 sales performer for two months in 2021, with triple-digit growth.
To boost EV numbers in Australia and New Zealand, MG will first begin addressing Australia’s Achilles Heel: lack of EV infrastructure. According to the electric vehicle council, Australia merely has 3,000 chargers across the country compared to the USA’s 45,000 publicly available chargers, which itself is criticized for not being enough.
MG announced it would give up to 3,000 chargers to 1,000 hotels and resorts around Australia. These are AC 7 kW single-phase or 11 kW three-phase with Type 2 plugs to be used by any EV, not just MGs. “After it is successful in Australia, we will start it in New Zealand immediately”, MG Motor’s product director Danny Lenartic said in an interview with Stuff.co.nz.
MG launched the facelifted ZS EV in Australia and NZ in September 2022. The electric MG5 wagon is not considered for markets down under as MG’s focus is on electric SUVs like the MG Marvel R successor.
TopElectricSUV says
The MG Marvel R successor will likely be a significantly more advanced model than the model it replaces, chiefly because of the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) and the One Pack battery. Expected to deliver a WLTP range of over 500 km (311 miles) and cost lesser than the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, the new model will likely present a great value for electric compact SUV customers.
Next-gen MG Marvel R FAQs
What is the MG Marvel R successor release date?
The MG Marvel R successor could go on sale by the first half of 2025.
What will be the MG Marvel R successor price?
The base MG Marvel R successor may cost around EUR 45,000 in Germany.
Which models will be MG Marvel R successor rivals?
The MG Marvel R successor will compete with the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV.
Featured Image: TopElectricSUV’s illustration of the next-gen MG Marvel R
A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, I started out as an automotive editor of a regional magazine in 2011. In my 11 years of experience in creating automotive content, I’ve traveled around the world to review, analyze and report on the world’s top electrified cars.
